The world of the great
Mountain is unstable. Giant pillars erupt from the surface and yawning chasms
form unpredictably underfoot. Since the Maelir first stood on its slopes in the
distant past, they have sought to still its anger and control its power. Each
year, twin brothers are chosen to make a perilous journey to the summit. If
they survive they will be witness to Zenith, and the secrets will be revealed
to them.

When Atreu and Teyth
embark on their Ascent, their Talismans lead them onto conflicting paths that
will ultimately set brother against brother. And this time the Ascent itself is
in peril as unknown forces that have long craved the power of Zenith will stop
at nothing to make it their own even if it means destroying the very thing that
sustains all life the Mountain itself.

Review:

This
one will set the heart aflutter for the true fantasy reader…and with a dose of
spiritualism and action tossed in the mix, it’s bound to attract the attention
of several genres.Now, for me, the
beginning was a little like watching water boil…it was a slow build-up but it
paid off in the end.Since this is a bit
of a different read for me, I was happy to find my attention engaged and my
interest piqued in this interesting world that author, Dirk Strasser created.So if you’re looking for something different
and definitely unique…give this one a try.

3 stars~Kathy

Book Excerpts

Zenith – The First Book of
Ascension

Zenith
excerpt: Chapter Four

Metheus walked over to the fissure and beckoned
Atreu to follow.

‘Stop there,’ commanded the old man. ‘Do not
get too close.’ Metheus was a step away from the fissure. ‘Now, watch and
believe.’

He approached the large crack, and Atreu stared
as the old man closed his eyes and bent his head over into the steam. Atreu could
just make out his lined features which were softened by the haze. Metheus was
inhaling deeply. He then slowly stepped back from the fissure, his eyes still
closed. Bending his neck back, he exhaled towards the ceiling.

Atreu gasped.

A cloud issued from Metheus’ mouth and floated
upwards. As it floated it took the form of a small boy. And as soon as the
image was complete, it changed. Now it was a serpent writhing with life. And
then a fish. And a leafless tree. And a geyer with wings beating gracefully. And
then something with long teeth dripping with blood. And then a woman. And
finally an old man, fading as the image struck the webbing on the ceiling of
the cave.

The air was shrouded in silence as Atreu slowly
bowed his head and looked at the ground.

‘This is my art,’ said the ancient voice.

Atreu lifted his head and looked Metheus in the
eyes. ‘I … I didn’t know,’ he stammered.

‘Come here,’ said Metheus. Atreu walked towards
him, the old man put his hand on his shoulder and they both sat down. ‘You see,
Atreu, it is in your breath that all answers are found. I have not devoted my
life to nothing. You take what the Mountain offers you, and you create so that
it belongs to both of you. Inhale, exhale. They belong together, you see.’

Dirk Strasser has written
over 30 books and has won multiple Australian Publisher Association Awards and
a Ditmar for Best Professional Achievement. His short story, “The Doppelgänger
Effect”, appeared in the World Fantasy Award-winning anthology, Dreaming
Down Under. His fiction has been translated into a number of languages. He
founded the Aurealis Awards and has co-published and co-edited Aurealis
magazine for over 20 years.

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